[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 172 (Thursday, December 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1571-E1572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL AIR PATROL

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2016

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th 
anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol, celebrated on December 1st and to 
honor its all-volunteer members. Since 1941, volunteers have lent their 
talents in dedicated service to protect Americans and our nation. Their 
work is deeply appreciated.
  The Civil Air Patrol came into existence just six days before the 
events of Pearl Harbor and was comprised of many civilian aviators, 
including women and African Americans who were not allowed to fly for 
the military at that time. Members flew in support of defense forces 
and provided the military with professional and cost-efficient 
assistance, which they have continued to provide ever since--chartered 
by Congress as non-combative, humanitarian force in 1946, becoming the 
official Auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force in 1948, and most recently 
becoming part of the U.S. Air Force's Total Force in 2015.
  The Search and Rescue efforts of the Civil Air Patrol are credited 
with saving an average of 75 lives every year and their Disaster Relief 
efforts and ability to work closely with partner organizations have 
been vital to our nation's security and wellbeing. Their service was 
particularly notable following the terrible events of September 11th, 
2001, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Sandy.
  I am proud to call myself a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Earlier 
this week, I was presented with the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and 
membership in the Patrol's Congressional. Squadron. The distinction was 
presented to me by Lieutenant Colonel Harold Damron and two wonderful 
young members of the Civil Air Patrol from my district, Cadet Second 
Lieutenant Laivi Grossman and Cadet Airman Basic Nancy Kahdeman. I 
thank them and the entire Civil Air Patrol for this opportunity.
  The organization's Cadet Program has been a tremendous resource to 
this nation, providing leadership training to youth, ages twelve 
through twenty-one. The Program promotes education in the fields of 
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, both for participants 
within the program and their local communities. This is done with a 
focus on Aerospace and Aviation, developing a passion for them in our 
younger citizens and ensuring our preeminence in these areas as well as 
Cyberspace. I believe this effort to be especially important now, as 
our nation's future and security depend upon the ability of the next 
generation to lead global progress in these areas.
  Civil Air Patrol volunteer professionals serve in every state of the 
nation and as nonprofit resources within thousands of communities. I am 
proud to support the work that these men and women continue to do, and 
I am very pleased to be celebrating this milestone anniversary with 
them.

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